Chocolate and Connections: Reflections on Mababu, Tanzania and Social Capital by Hayden Hradek

In picture left to right, Freddie, Hayden Hradek, and Mama Mpoki.

Written by Hayden Hradek | hayden.hradek@gmail.com

If Willy Wonka had a passport, a conscience, and a background in criminal defense, he would look a heck of a lot like Springfield, Missouri’s own Shawn Askinosie.

Eighteen years ago, Shawn was Springfield’s premier criminal defense attorney. Yet, he found himself ready for a change. Somewhere between grilling on his Big Green Egg and baking desserts for his family, Shawn dreamed up the idea of starting a small-batch chocolate company focused on direct, ethical trade with the farmers who grew the cocoa beans he was to use. 

Since Askinosie Chocolate’s founding, the company has pioneered direct trade efforts with farmers across the globe, helped found various community programs, including schools, and receiving many awards for the chocolate.

One of the Askinosie Foundation’s many programs is the Chocolate University International Business Immersion program (CU). CU is an opportunity for high school juniors and seniors to travel with Shawn to Mababu, Tanzania, every other year, and learn principles important to global, direct trade.

As a recent graduate of Republic High School (Republic, Missouri), I recently had the opportunity to travel with Shawn through CU.

My background before this trip was primarily in community development and neighborhood leadership (I am a 2023 grad of the Neighborhood Leadership Academy and 2024 recipient of Missouri’s Most Engaged Neighbor Award). Still, nothing prepared me for the atmosphere I found in Mababu. 

The people of Mababu have a genuine love for each other, past family bonds. They love their neighbors. Frankly, these farmers live in a world of poverty, yet they are the happiest people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I found, after reflection, that the community I was a guest in was as strong as it was for a few, very simple reasons.

One of the first things I noticed on our drive into the village was how many people were outside. From a hustling market, to kids playing soccer in a field, to those sitting together conversing around a cooking fire. The citizens of Mababu placed a priority on being outside and being available to their neighbors. In doing so, bonds became iron-tough, because naturally, relationships grew from greetings to love for one another.

In that same vein, every person I interacted with on this trip passed along a greeting. Instead of awkward stares, there was a shared, genuine friendliness between people. It was to such an extent that even while traveling in our van, if I yelled out “hujambo!” (Swahili for hello), at least five people would turn, smile, and yell back, “sejambo!” (a Swahili response to the hujambo mentioned above). This world I was in did not want loneliness, but wanted the connections with people, even if those people were not from Tanzania, or spoke good Swahili.

Finally, I believe that the most critical component of the beautiful community I found in Mababu came from a shared ownership over their village and their future. If a child got into trouble and their parents weren’t around, another adult would step in.

Amongst the farmers of the Mababu, they possessed a passion for working together. Even within an organizational structure, their collaboration is remarkable. From fermentation of beans to contract negotiation to agricultural advancements, the farmers go through everything together, and if one struggles, they all struggle, because they are a community, first and foremost.

Back home in Republic, Missouri, I hesitate to say this trip changed my life—at least not yet. I don’t believe I’ll truly know if it has or has not until years down the road. Yet, I have gained a couple of conclusions, insights, and perspectives that have already begun to affect the way I see my community.

First, we severely lack social connection. In a world full of technology and entertainment at our fingertips, isolation is on the rise. I struggle to think of the last time I saw anyone sitting outside with no other motivation but to just be, and to say hello to a passersby. If a stranger on the street yells out, “Hello!” our first response isn’t a greeting in response, but a strange look and thoughts like "what is wrong with that person?"

But most critically, I find that at least in my area, we think we can buy the social bonds that create a community out of a city. But, guess what? There’s no price tag on a true, connected community. It’s not an out-of-budget for most residents city pool, or an otherworldly expensive high school athletics facility, or just pure population growth stemming from economic growth. Our communities don’t grow stronger by pouring money on the problem. No. It’s quite the opposite.

Creating a world where the social bonds between individuals create genuine happiness beyond that of being exorbitantly wealthy starts by making an effort. Neighboring is difficult. It’s hard to look at someone who, at the beginning, only shares one thing in common with you, a place to live. But the reward that comes out of that uncomfortable situation can change lives. 

I know it’s changed the lives of those in Tanzania.

So, as I readjust to the time zone and life in the States, I realize how special bonds between community members are. Not only that, but also how critical they are to our quality of life. With that, I draw that we must make a better effort. I must make a better effort. Because times will be hard. That comes with being human. But, like the farmers in Mababu showed me, without even trying, hard times with people you trust and love at your side aren’t hard times at all.

MORE INFORMATION

Haden Hradek is leaving Republic for Brown University in the fall of 2025. He is a graduate of Republic High School and the Neighborhood Leadership Academy where his community project, a sports equipment library, gained all types of media attention and continues to have an impact. The RepMo Rotary Club is now a financial supporter for the sports equipment library, securing its ongoing use. The club is hosting a pancake breakfast on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.